Oregon Public Broadcasting

There was a time, not so long ago, when Mary Sojourner looked around the room at a gathering of women, and said, "I have to face it. I really am addicted to gambling." 

She was remembering the time in South Dakota, when she was giddy over a hot run at the slots, profiting $800, then losing most of it. 

She remembered almost falling off her chair at a slot machine, her blood sugar dangerously low from not eating for hours. 

Maybe she remembered the "free" casino coffee mug that really cost her $480. 

Mary Sojourner was addicted to slots. They gave her the same high others get from alcohol, drugs or sex. 

Mary Sojourner is a writer living in Bend. Her book, "She Bets Her Life: A True Story of Gambling Addiction" is part confessional, part academic, part road map to recovery for others. 

Mary Sojourner joins me now. Good morning.

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